How can i explain the disney college program to my family?

[ackerley]

I told my mom about it and she was all for it, as long as i get an education. However, when I told my dad, before he even knew what it was he sarcastically said "Ha! whats that? Learn how to be mickey mouse for a living?!" I took that as an insult. My grandparents won't even like the idea of me going to orlando. My other relatives would say "no. disney is the worst company to work for!" what do I do?

 

[ancestry]

Well if they feel that strongly there may be nothing that you can do.

You can explain it as work/study and that you are getting college credit for it. Say that good or bad it will give you an invaluable experience into the corporate world.

 

[Aliceacc]

Why don't you explain the benefits to us, and see if we can help you make your case stronger?

I think that any sort of an internship is a plus in today's competitive work enviornment. Aside from the networking possibilities, there's the chance for you to learn so much more on site than in a college classroom. And the Disney name is one that I would think employers would respect-- Disney does a lot right in terms of marketing and customer service.

Explain to ME why I, as a potential employer, should look favorably on this in your resume.

(PS: the reality is that I am not a potential employer. I'm a high school math teacher. But that's OK, play along.)

 

[bumbershoot]

I told my mom about it and she was all for it, as long as i get an education. However, when I told my dad, before he even knew what it was he sarcastically said "Ha! whats that? Learn how to be mickey mouse for a living?!" I took that as an insult. My grandparents won't even like the idea of me going to orlando. My other relatives would say "no. disney is the worst company to work for!" what do I do?

What do your grandparents or other non-parent relatives have to do with it?



http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/

That might be a good place to start with your dad.


After reading through it, I want to go back to college so I can apply for this!

 

[DawnM]

I don't get what your extended relatives' say in the matter means? Are they paying for it? If not, don't tell them.

My husband got his MA while interning for Disney. It was not a horrible company to work for at all. He worked in the tax department and I loved him working there as we got perks! However, he left when Disney outsourced to Price Waterhouse.

Get all the facts together before talking to your Dad about it, print out specifics and know fully what you are talking about and THEN go back and present it with details.

Dawn

 

[laceemouse]

Why do they think it is a horrible company? Books have been written about how Disney hires and trains their employees, they are pretty well knows for their excellent business practices. Do they realize what a huge employer Disney is? Or that there are hundreds of different types of jobs there? They have training for all types of jobs in the CP, what are you majoring in? I'll bet they don't even know that Hospitality management is a major, and a good one

 

[santa's surpriz]

I did the program back in 1992, and post it on my resume. I still receive positive feedback and am able to build on it. Disney is recognized as a stellar company and you will learn foundations to build on. No matter your career the guest servicing and people skills gained will pay off. I highly recommend you do it. They make every effort to insure safety but you still need use good judgement.

Good luck!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

My mom reacted the same way, whereas my Dad saw the value. Granted, I was accepted into the Hospitality Program which not anyone gets into so I was able to convince my Mom. She just worried that I wouldn't go back for my last semester of college. It was tempting, but by the end of working all the time for six months, I was ready to go back home and drove in record time so that I could get as far away from WDW! I didn't go back for 10 years, but now I am hooked again.

It is a good company and has its issue like any large company...or I guess any company out there really! But, how many internships can you go scream out your frustrations on Tower of Terror or be inspired by guests? It is a magical place and although I wasn't a Disney fan when they picked me (long story), I sure was by the time I left!

Having Disney on your resume is priceless. It is a conversation starter for sure! So, I hope that your parents both end up seeing the value of this experience. Just make the most of it as well and shadow tons of departments and don't get caught in the party scene. One thing so many people forget to do is to build connections. It is all about networking!

Good Luck!

 

[Prose]

Tell them instead that you will be getting a paid internship at a company that is ranked #65 on the Fortune 500 list, with annual revenues ranked #1 in the Entertainment industry by Fortune, named one of Businessweek's Best Places to Launch a Career and 50 Most Innovative Companies in 2009, with a personnel training program that is known the world over.

 

[adventure_woman]

I was a CP in 1999 and I was a FT CM from 2000-2001. I can tell you having Disney on your resume is the very FIRST thing any employer looks at (at least in my case). They were always so interested in it. I KNOW I got a FT career job because of it - they knew the guest service that Disney provides.

Being a CP was awesome and a blast. Warning - you won't make very much money! At least when I was there, you got a discount on merchandise and my mom came down to visit several times with the resort discount.

Also - personally I wouldn't worry about what your parents say (and ESPECIALLY not grand-parents). My dad has always thought I was nuts about all my traveling (he never lived more than 2 houses away from my grandma). My mom was all for it. THIS is the time to do something like that if you want to do it. When you are 40, married with kids, house, etc....it is much harder to do something like that.

I am so happy I worked for Disney and lived my dream. It is something that I will never regret and it is always something 'cool' I can look back on and show my DDs pictures of when I was an engineer driving the train.

 

[allegoricduck]

Making a pros and cons list would help you figure if it would be a good move. Can you afford to miss a semester of school? I had to turn down a Disney internship because my department was so small, classes were only offered once a year and I would have to graduate a year later than I'd planned. Also, what is your major? If you're doing something like science or engineering, there are better internships to look for that will use the skills you're learning, and even some at Disney.

The college program isn't right for everyone, so think hard about it before you apply or take the job. There are a lot of program members on the college board here, so it might be a good next step to look around there.

 

[EKW]

Are you living at home? Are your parents supporting you? Are they paying your college tuition? Would they have to support you during your time in Orlando? If you answered yes to any of those questions you have three choices:

1. Share the recruiting information with them. Explain how it will enhance your education. Let them do some research and maybe they'll change their minds.

2. Take charge of your life. Move out, pay your own way. Then, while they're welcome to their opinions, you have no obligation to take their wishes into consideration. Do what you want to do with your life.

3. Give up on the idea of a Disney internship.

That may sound harsh, but it's the reality of becoming an adult.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

I told my mom about it and she was all for it, as long as i get an education. However, when I told my dad, before he even knew what it was he sarcastically said "Ha! whats that? Learn how to be mickey mouse for a living?!" I took that as an insult. My grandparents won't even like the idea of me going to orlando. My other relatives would say "no. disney is the worst company to work for!" what do I do?

Maybe it's just me, but by the time I was in college, I was making my own decisions. I came home from class one day and told my mom that I was going to interview for an internship at Disney World. She supported me because she's always supported everything I do, but either way....

Your mom wants you to get an education - YOU WILL! You can take classes at Disney U. and you'll get a lot of 'real life' education to go along with it.

Have you explained to your dad what all you could be doing while you're down there? There is a lot to it and I personally suggest the College Program to just about anyone!

As for your other relatives... why do you have to explain your educational/career choices to them? That is beyond me...

Either way - Good luck and I hope you go with what YOU want to do! I did the college program in 2004 and it was the best year of my life!

 

[bringmethathorizon]

year old year stick in the mud and im trying to talk my college age son into it.
dont wait till you are old and looking back.
i keep telling him that ill switch places with him.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I told my mom about it and she was all for it, as long as i get an education. However, when I told my dad, before he even knew what it was he sarcastically said "Ha! whats that? Learn how to be mickey mouse for a living?!" I took that as an insult. My grandparents won't even like the idea of me going to orlando. My other relatives would say "no. disney is the worst company to work for!" what do I do?

My cousin did this program, did the ductorate program and went on to eventually work in Marketing and loves her job. She makes a pretty decent living and has had some cool assignments.

It is perfect for someone who has plans to eventually be employed in a salaried position with the mouse, though there is no guarantee. It is perfect for someone who wants to learn about business to carry with them to some other company post graduation.

It is a legitimate program. Your family probably sees you working at a low skilled job and cannot figure out how it correlates to the real world.

But ask yourself why you seek their validation? Must you have their support to do this program? I believe the CP has a packet with what they offer that you can share with your family.

I was finally accepted, but could not do it for financial reasons. I really wish I could have figured out a way to do it. But it was for the fall, I think and I would have been short credits to maintain a scholarship that I needed.

Anyway--the customer service experience alone will be valuable in future career endeavors.

Give it a shot and don't worry about what they think.

(Also, I think there is a CP board on here somewhere--you can ask current CP cast members their take on it.)

Good luck!

ETA: It is the college board--but they do have postings regarding the program: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=90